Indian army provides training, weapons to anti-Muslim elements: report

SRINAGAR: In order to harass and keep the local Muslims under constant threat, Indian Army has started providing armed training and weapons to the notorious anti-Muslim elements, Kashmir Media Service (KMS) reported.

The people who are being trained mostly belong to Hindu extremist outfits. Their training is being organized in the name of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in Jammu region, as per KMS.

Lieutenant Colonel Abhinav Navneet, defence spokesman for Indian army’s Udhampur based Northern Command while confirming the training and weapon supply to the VDC members said, “Army regularly meets VDC members in most remote areas of Jammu ….”

“During these interactions VDC members are provided training to handle weapons and they are also made aware about important aspects of surveillances,” he added.

“One such programme was organized at Samote, Rajouri, where VDC members were imparted training about weapon handling and cleaning. They were also aware about musketry, firing positions and minor repairs of weapons,” he said.

The KMS reported that these VDC members have killed many innocent Muslims at the behest of Indian army in Jammu region in the past.